Guides
Getting a house demolished for a rebuild in Seattle and on the Eastside: permits, asbestos and the order of work
What it takes to demolish a house for a rebuild in Seattle and the Eastside: permit, asbestos notice, utilities, trees and the order that avoids an idle lot.
David Meade · October 7, 2026
Hunts Point, Washington building permits, zoning and shoreline rules for a remodel or rebuild in 2026
Hunts Point, WA permit rules for a remodel or rebuild: pre-application at $25,000, floor area ratio, height, shoreline setbacks, fees and hours.
David Meade · October 7, 2026
What a building permit costs in Seattle for a major remodel
What a Seattle building permit costs on a $750,000 remodel: the 2026 SDCI fee table worked step by step, the extra reviews, and how Eastside cities differ.
David Meade · October 7, 2026
Seattle stormwater code for a remodel or addition: what triggers it and what the permit set must show
How Seattle's 2026 stormwater code applies to a remodel, addition or rebuild: the 750 and 1,500 square foot lines and what permits must show.
David Meade · October 7, 2026
Swimming pool permits in Seattle and on the Eastside: what a pool adds to a remodel permit
Pool permits in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Medina: the 2021 pool code, barriers, setbacks, hot tub covers and sequencing with a remodel.
David Meade · October 7, 2026What the Washington energy code asks of a remodel or an addition
How the 2021 Washington State Energy Code treats a remodel or addition: windows, insulation, ducts, energy credits, blower door tests, conversions, Seattle.
David Meade · October 7, 2026When a remodel counts as a new house: the Eastside thresholds, city by city
Each Eastside city draws the line between a remodel and a new house differently: dollars, percent of value, wall length or years. The tests, side by side.
David Meade · October 7, 2026Yarrow Point zoning, building permits and shoreline rules for a remodel or rebuild in 2026
Yarrow Point zoning and building permits: height 25 ft above 1959 grade or 31 ft finished, 25 and 10 ft setbacks, 30% coverage, 50 ft shoreline setback.
David Meade · October 7, 2026
Remodeling a waterfront home on Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish or the Sound: what changes on the water
Remodeling a house on Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish or the Sound? How shoreline rules, setbacks and a grandfathered footprint shape what you can change.
David Meade · October 1, 2026
Issaquah zoning and building permits: what you can build on your lot in 2026
Issaquah zoning for homeowners: SF-E, SF-S and SF-SL setbacks, the 30 foot height rule, impervious limits, steep slopes, trees, ADUs and the building permit.
David Meade · September 27, 2026
Redmond zoning explained: what the Zoning Code lets you build on your lot
Redmond zoning for homeowners: the NR zone, setbacks, 38 ft height, the 4,500 sq ft size cap, the new square footage fee, trees and Lake Sammamish lots.
David Meade · September 27, 2026Sammamish zoning and building permits: what you can build on your lot in 2026
Sammamish zoning for homeowners: R-1, R-4 and R-6 rules, setbacks that grow with house size, FAR, hardscape, trees, lakes, fees and permits.
David Meade · September 27, 2026Shoreline exemptions in Washington: building or remodeling a waterfront house without a substantial development permit
Building or remodeling a house on Lake Washington or the Sound? You likely need a written shoreline exemption, not a full permit. How it works in 2026.
David Meade · September 27, 2026
Bellevue zoning explained: what the Land Use Code lets you build on your lot
Bellevue zoning for homeowners: the 2025 zone names, setbacks, height limit, lot coverage, FAR and lakefront rules in the Land Use Code, September 2026.
David Meade · September 26, 2026
Clyde Hill building permits, height and view rules: what you can build in 2026
Clyde Hill building permit rules for a new house or remodel: 25 ft above 1953 grade, 30 and 35 ft setbacks, 30% coverage, construction hours, permit steps.
David Meade · September 26, 2026
Kirkland zoning explained: what the code lets you build on your lot
Kirkland zoning for homeowners: RS, RSX and RSA zones, setbacks and the 15 foot side yard rule, height, lot coverage, FAR, trees and waterfront lots.
David Meade · September 26, 2026Medina, WA building permits, zoning and tree code: what you can build in 2026
Medina, WA building rules for a new house or rebuild: R-16 to R-30 setbacks, structural coverage, height, the tree code, permits and timelines.
David Meade · September 26, 2026Mercer Island building permits, zoning and tree code: what you can build in 2026
Mercer Island zoning, setbacks, floor area, tree code and shoreline rules for a new house or rebuild, plus how to apply and what permit timelines look like.
David Meade · September 26, 2026What Seattle’s tree ordinance means for building a house
Seattle's tree code for new homes, teardowns and additions: tiers, Tier 2 removal, protection areas, permit plans and in-lieu fees, as of 2026.
David Meade · September 26, 2026
Bellevue Building Permit Guide 2026: What Homeowners Need to Know
Guide to residential building permits in Bellevue, WA for 2026. Timelines, zoning basics, and when you need an architect.
David Meade · June 29, 2026Lot Coverage, Setbacks & FAR Explained (Plain English)
Lot coverage, setbacks, and FAR explained in plain English for Seattle homeowners, so you know what you can build. From Piper Cole Architects.
David Meade · June 22, 2026Building on Medina’s Shoreline: Regulations & Design (2026)
Building on Medina's shoreline (2026): regulations, permits, and design strategies for waterfront lots, from Piper Cole Architects.
David Meade · June 22, 2026Redmond, WA Building Permit Guide for Homeowners (2026)
Guide to residential building permits in Redmond, WA for 2026. Timelines, zoning basics, ADU rules, and how the City of Redmond permit process works.
David Meade · May 30, 2026Seattle Deck Permit Guide for Homeowners (2026): When You Need a Permit
When do you need a deck permit in Seattle 2026? Height thresholds, structural requirements, attachment rules, and permit process.
David Meade · May 30, 2026Seattle Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Guide for Homeowners
When do fences and retaining walls require permits in Seattle? Height limits, setbacks, structural requirements. Updated 2026.
David Meade · May 30, 2026Kirkland, WA Building Permit Guide 2026 [Free Checklist]
Plain-English guide to residential building permits in Kirkland, WA for 2026. When you need one, timeline, fees, and how an architect helps.
David Meade · May 29, 2026Seattle Pre-Application Conference: When to Use It and What to Expect
Seattle pre-application conference (pre-app) explained: when to request one, what to bring, and how it can save time on your permit.
David Meade · May 27, 2026Seattle Design Review: What Homeowners and Developers Need to Know
Seattle Design Review explained for homeowners and developers: when it applies, what it involves, and how an architect helps you through it.
David Meade · May 27, 2026Seattle Building Permit Guide 2026: Costs, Timelines & Checklist
Real Seattle permit timelines by project type, what a $500,000 addition pays in permit fees, and why Eastside cities run faster. Call 425 753 6452.
David Meade · May 25, 2026Seattle Zoning Explained for Homeowners: What You Can Build on Your Lot
Confused by Seattle zoning? Learn residential zone types, ADU rules, setbacks, lot coverage, and what you can build on your property before designing a project.
David Meade · May 25, 2026Seattle Architecture Permits: What Homeowners Need to Know (2026)
A plain-English guide to residential building permits in Seattle and the Eastside. What you need, when you need it, and how an architect helps.
David Meade · May 19, 2026
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